YouTube TV vs Hulu + Live TV. Pros and Cons
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV were newsmakers last time.
According to Nielsen's The Gauge, in December 2024, YouTube TV reached 11.1% of all TV watch time and became a streamer's leader for the month. By offering a mix of premium programming and live events, YouTube has successfully carved out a substantial share of audience attention.
Disney's Hulu + Live TV and Fubo Consolidation became the first consolidation in the entertainment and streaming industry in 2025. The industry is expected to kickstart a wave of consolidations this year.
So, let's examine these two titans closer, compare them, and find out who has more options and privileges for viewers and advertisers.
The Difference between Hulu Live and YouTube TV
Let’s compare Hulu and YouTube TV using different parameters such as prices, number of channels, device support, and others.
Prices. YouTube TV vs Hulu live
Hulu's Pricing
As of January 2025, Hulu prices start from $9/99, but there are many more options. Additionally, Hulu offers various add-ons, including options for ESPN+ and Disney+, which can enhance the viewing experience at an additional cost.
- Hulu (with ads) - $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Hulu (no ads) - $18.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV (with ads) - $82.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV (no ads) - $95.99/month
- Live TV only - $81.99/month
YouTube TV Pricing (Effective January 13, 2025)
Starting from January 13, 20205, YouTube increased prices by approximately 14%. The company explained this growth by improving the quality of content and investments in service quality.
The Prices
- Base plan - $82.99 per month (increased from $72.99).
- Spanish plan - additional $34.99 per month for over 30 Spanish channels.
- 4K Plus add-on - additional $9.99 per month for ultra-high definition streaming.
- Sports Plus - additional $10.99 per month for enhanced sports viewing options.
Hulu wins in this category because it proposes more options and tariffs than YouTube TV, so anyone can choose what suits them best.
Number of subscribers. YouTube TV vs Hulu live
YouTube TV is the clear winner in this category, with 8 million subscribers compared to Hulu’s 4.6 million.
Hulu + Live TV's subscribers’ number showed a downtrend during 2024. Last year, only during January-March (Q1), it lost around 100,000 subscribers.
Number of channels. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
As of 2025, YouTube TV offers over 209 channels
in its lineup. The breakdown includes:
- Base Plan: More than 136 channels, which feature major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, along with a variety of sports, news, and entertainment channels.
- Spanish Plan: Approximately 32 channels tailored for Spanish-speaking audiences.
- Add-ons: Additional channels are available through various packages, such as Sports+ and other themed options.
As of January 2025, Hulu + Live TV offers access to over 95 channels. Additionally, Hulu provides options for add-ons that can expand the channel selection further, catering to diverse viewing preferences.
The most popular shows in 2024. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
In 2024, YouTube TV's most popular show became a children's program: Ms. Rachel. The show has an interactive format and educational content for preschoolers and toddlers. As of January 2025, the channel had 12.8 million subscribers and 9,397,575,393 views, with only 118 videos.
Unfortunately, we don't have the exact number of views on Hulu + Live TV as the streamer didn't publish it, but the most popular show on Hulu + Live TV was named Shōgun. It is an adaptation of James Clavell's novel, and an interesting fact is that almost 70% of its dialogue is in Japanese.
The share of TV time. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
According to data from Nielsen’s Gauge for December 2024, YouTube TV captured 11.1% of all TV time, and Hulu, in turn, got 2.5%.
Source: Nielsen
If we look back over the year, YouTube showed steady growth (8,5% in January 2024 vs. 11,1% in December), while Hulu Live ended the year with slightly smaller numbers than in January 2024 (2,5% in December 2024 vs. 2,6% of all TV time in December).
Source: Nielsen
Device Support. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
Hulu + Live TV can be run on a number of different devices. Let’s look closer.
Streaming Devices and Smart TVs
- Amazon Fire TV (Cube, Stick, TV)
- Apple TV (4th generation and newer)
- Chromecast (including Chromecast with Google TV)
- LG TVs (select models)
- Roku (Ultra, Express, Premiere, Stick, TV)
- Samsung TVs (select models)
- VIZIO SmartCast TVs
- Xfinity X1 TV Box
Mobile Devices
- Android phones and tablets
- iPhone and iPad
- Amazon Fire tablets
Gaming Consoles
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xbox One and Series X/S
Computers
- Accessible via web browsers on both PC and Mac.
The app is not supported on older devices like the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro or Nintendo Wii.
YouTube TV supports many devices, allowing users to access its content on various platforms. Here’s a summary of the supported devices:
Smart TVs
- Roku TVs (all models)
- Samsung Smart TVs (2017 models and newer)
- LG Smart TVs (2017 models and newer)
- Vizio SmartCast TVs (select models)
- Hisense Smart TVs (select models)
- Fire TV Edition Smart TVs (produced by Toshiba, Insignia, Element, and Westinghouse)
Streaming Devices
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Apple TV (4th generation and 4K)
- Android TV (TVs running a mobile version of Android may not be supported)
- TiVo Stream 4K
- Xfinity Flex devices
Game Consoles
- Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro
Mobile Devices
- Android smartphones and tablets (running Android 5.0 Lollipop or later)
- iPhone and iPad (running iOS 10 or later)
Computers
- Accessible via web browsers on both PC and Mac.
Users can also stream YouTube TV using Chromecast or AirPlay for Apple TV.
Simultaneous Streaming. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
Users can run Hulu + Live TV on two simultaneous streams on separate devices, but they can upgrade the tariff to Unlimited Screens for an additional fee. YouTube TV allows streaming on up to three devices simultaneously.
Cloud DVR. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
Both services offer unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing users to record live TV without worrying about space limitations. However, YouTube TV has traditionally been recognized for its superior DVR features.
Shows In 4K. YouTube TV vs Hulu Live
Hulu + Live TV currently does not offer live streaming in 4K resolution. While the platform provides on-demand content that can reach up to 4K Ultra HD, live broadcasts are limited to HD quality, typically streaming at a maximum of 1080p.
YouTube TV offers 4K streaming through its 4K Plus add-on for an additional $9.99 per month.
Here are the key details regarding 4K content on YouTube TV:
Available Content in 4K
- Live Channels:
- ESPN
- FOX Sports
- NBC Sports
- Discovery
- FX
- Nat Geo
- Tastemade
- NBA TV
- On-Demand Shows: A variety of on-demand programs are also available in 4K, for example, American Titans, South Park, Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story, Insane Pools Off the Deep End, and others.
Which is better YouTube TV or Hulu?
If we examine all the characteristics, YouTube TV is the total winner of this competition. However, both streamers provide excellent services and have substantial market shares. For advertisers, both platforms are great. It doesn't matter how many followers the platform has; your audience is there—that is what matters. To run an effective TV ad campaign, you need to reach your customers, and your media plan could include both platforms. Here, you need a trusted partner who helps you find these audiences, no matter where they are—on YouTube TV, Hulu, Netflix, Prime, or other services. This is where Simulmedia TV+ can be helpful. Plan, run, and update campaigns with real-time insights